Planning to travel to Japan in 2021? Great choice! In this review, we will tell you all about the seasons, weather and where is the best to go and what to see in a given month. We will also find out where the best beach vacation is and what advice tourists give.
Japan is a world of sophisticated exoticism. Jewelry combination of tradition and modernity. A place of harmony of spirit and body. You can pick up many more epithets, but you can understand their meaning only by visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.
Where to find cheap tickets? This is most conveniently done using the search engines Aviasales and Skyscanner. To find the best price, check both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions on how to search for cheap flights correctly. The cost of tickets is approximately the following: to fly back and forth to Tokyo or Osaka from Moscow and St. Petersburg can be from 25-30 thousand rubles, from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk - from 15-20 thousand. The list of cities in Russia for which there are the cheapest tickets to Japan, see here.
When is the best time to go on vacation to Japan
Spring
First of all, it is hanami, the Japanese national tradition of flower-admiring. Nature begins its performance with the flowering of the Japanese ume plum from late December to late March. However, the main event of the hanami is the sakura blossom. Thanks to the climate, this magical sight can last more than three months (from late February to late May). There are times when, for example, on the island of Okinawa, sakura begins to bloom in January. A wave of Japanese cherry blossoms sweeps across the country from the southernmost island of Kyushu and ends in northern Tohoku.
We advise you to admire this natural magic in the Japanese capital in Shinjukugyoen Park, where 1500 cherry trees of more than 75 species grow. Also impressive are Ueno Park (the largest in Tokyo) and Sumida Park.
Flowering lasts only 8-10 days, so there are two options: either follow the "wave" across the country, or catch the moment. In addition, other beautiful flowers begin to bloom from May: azalea, shiba-zakura and wisteria.
Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see the hanami. However, the real excitement in the country is from April 29 to May 6. At this time, a series of official holidays take place: Sowing Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day. The period of celebrations is collectively called "Golden Week". It entails traffic jams and queues, as well as difficulties with hotel reservations. In addition, the prices for vacations in Japan at this time rise sharply. We advise you to take this into account when planning your trip.
It is also worth mentioning that traditional festivals begin in mid-May, including Kanda Matsuri and Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo, as well as Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto.
Summer
The beginning of summer is not the best time for a vacation in Japan. The so-called tsuyu (rainy season) and lasts until mid-July. Summer in the country is very hot, the air temperature is between + 34 ... + 38 ° С, and the humidity can exceed 90%.
Nevertheless, only in summer you can conquer one of the main attractions of Japan - Mount Fuji, located on the island of Honshu. Officially climbing Mount Fuji is allowed only from July 1 to August 27. With the end of the season, you will not find the accompanying professionals and rescue services to keep you safe in the summer.
Summer in Japan is a season of festivities and grand fireworks. If you want to see one of the festivals, then we advise you to plan the route in accordance with the country's holiday calendar. Check out the festival calendar for the main tourist cities. There is also another calendar. Both sites are in English.
In mid-August, the Japanese celebrate smell... It is believed that at this time the souls of the dead descend to earth. Locals visit the graves of their ancestors and pay tribute to the memory. People go to their homes to see their relatives. Moreover, in August, children have school holidays, so there may be problems with booking hotels and buying tickets.
Look for interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster websites. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Fall
Based on the weather, September is not the best vacation option in Japan in 2021. The heat has not subsided yet, the humidity too. In addition, at this time, the country is especially prone to typhoons, which are characterized by strong gusts of wind and heavy rains.
By the end of September, the weather conditions soften, the number of tourists decreases and, in our opinion, the most favorable time for traveling to Japan begins.
October and November is the time of the traditional momiji, it is also called the season of red maples. As sakura once covered Japan from south to north, so now in the opposite direction (from north to south), red-yellow waves of autumn leaves paint the country. The best place to observe Momiji is in Kyoto. Travelers are also advised to enjoy Japanese autumn in Tokyo, Okayama and Hiroshima.
In reviews of their holidays in Japan, tourists celebrate the October festivals. One of the most representative holidays - jidai matsuri, a festival of eras dedicated to the history of the country. You can visit it on October 22 in Kyoto.
Winter
Going on vacation to Japan in winter is perhaps the most interesting of all from mid-December, when the country is immersed in the New Year's atmosphere. However, it should be borne in mind that the Japanese themselves at this time are constantly traveling to their hometowns and traveling. We advise you to book accommodation in advance and plan your itineraries as carefully as possible, as prices for holidays in Japan increase during this period.
Japanese landscapes get dull in January and February, so to see the snowy beauty, we advise you to stick to the northern regions. Feel all the delights of the famous Japanese hot springs onsen advise near Mount Fuji. The combination of a natural hot bath, Japanese winter and views of the snowy peaks of the legendary volcano is perhaps the best atmosphere to appreciate onsen.
When traveling Japan in winter, be sure to visit the world famous Snow festival in Sapporo, which is held annually in early February and lasts 7 days.
Where to stay in Japan? Living in the country is not cheap. We advise you to search for hotels on the Roomguru search engine, it will select the most profitable options among many booking systems. For example, in Tokyo, a night in a hostel with excellent reviews Guest House Wasabi costs from $ 26, but rooms in decent hotels in Tokyo are much more expensive - for example, the price for staying in a double room at the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo-Toyocho hotel starts from $ 95.
Beach holidays in Japan
The Japanese themselves are not the biggest fans of seaside holidays, since the traditional fashion for pale skin in the Land of the Rising Sun has survived to this day. However, there are beach resorts on almost every island in the country, and tourists can sunbathe on the coast while touring the country.
Choosing a beach destination in Japan depends on your needs and hobbies. For fans of surfing, the Kamakura resort is more suitable. However, the archipelago is the most popular among lovers of outdoor activities on the water. Ryukyu and its largest island is Okinawa. The sea is always warm here, and the minimum water temperature here is + 20 ° C. The colorful coral reefs attract divers from all over the world. Also on the islands Keramalocated near Okinawa, tourists can take advantage of the exceptional opportunity to watch whales.
In reviews of a beach vacation in Japan with children, tourists advise the city Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu. In addition to luxurious beaches, there is the famous Ocean Dome water park, which can accommodate more than 10 thousand people.
A truly unique place to relax in Japan by the sea is the city Shirahamathat on the island of Honshu. Snow-white quartz sand was brought to its coast from Australia. The resort's landscaped beaches, hot springs and modern hotels attract both tourists and locals.
The name of the city of Ibusuki (Kyushu Island) translates as "a city on the hot earth." Thermal waters here come so close to the surface of the earth that the temperature of the sea water can reach + 40 ° C. Not surprisingly, the city is called Japanese Hawaii.
There is a saying: "A sick person is bitter and honey." So that the rest is not spoiled by ailments, we advise you to collect the correct first-aid kit for a tourist.
Travel Tips
When planning a vacation in Japan in 2021, it should be understood that the concept of a low season in the country practically does not exist. Each season here has its own uniqueness. In addition, domestic tourism in the country is developed just as well as external. Locals move around the country en masse during national holidays, so this period is characterized by difficulties with booking accommodation, problems with buying transport tickets and widespread long lines. Also during the holidays there is an increase in prices for vacations in Japan.
Japan is a very law abiding country and the crime rate is extremely low. Nevertheless, one should not forget about elementary precautions, and even more so to become a source of violation of law and order (as our compatriots sometimes like to do in popular resorts). Not everyone is fluent in English in Japan, so it is best to seek help from the police in case of anything. In addition, for the convenience of foreigners, metro inscriptions and road signs are duplicated in Latin letters.
It is important for tourists going on vacation to Japan to know a couple more things that are considered the norm in some countries (even an unspoken obligation), but here they will be perceived as an insult:
- In Japan, it is not customary to leave a tip, the usual 5-15% incentive is already included in the price of a product or service.
- In the country, they are not traded either in stores or in markets.
- In addition, I would like to give a little advice on shaking hands. The Japanese pay great attention to issues of personal space and restraint of behavior. Do not be the first to reach out for a handshake, as this type of European greeting may not correspond to the values of every local.
Those who like to bring something "from overseas, ocean" should take into account that souvenirs and delicacies can be produced exclusively in one or another region of the country. For this reason, we advise you not to postpone the purchase of what you like. In reviews of their holidays in Japan, tourists are advised to purchase jewelry and bijouterie. Although their prices do not differ from European ones, the quality and design are at the highest level. If Japan can attract girls with natural cosmetics based on pearls and algae, then men will certainly not be left indifferent by cutting-edge gadgets and computer games.
